HANNIBAL – Hundreds of Missouri Baptist youth have completed Super Summer, a camp alternative held at Hannibal-LaGrange University here in June.
Jeff Carson, an MBC staffer with the leadership development team, said the first weeklong session drew 515 youth and leaders, and the second week drew over 275 teens and leaders.
“A good number of students, especially the first week, identify that God called them to some type of ministry,” Carson said. “We’ve seen that consistently the last three years. Last year at Super Summer we began Kaleo, specifically for students who have identified some type of call to the ministry. It’s exciting to see and help them with the next steps.”
Some who were in Kaleo last year were back for “Track 2” this year.
“It’s cool to see students come back again and go through it,” Carson said. “We hit hard Jesus’ command that it is our personal responsibility to make disciples.”
Scott Bryant is a youth pastor from Selmore Baptist in Ozark. He previously participated in Super Summer as a summer missionary in 2001 and 2002.
“It’s been good for our (eight) students to meet other students and to see them grow and watch God work through them,” Bryant said. “We’ll be back again.”
Brennan Richey attended Super Summer for this, her second time. The junior is from Pisgah Baptist in Excelsior Springs.
“I loved last year so much, but it’s even better this year,” Richey said. “I’m more mature in my walk with God. Last year, it was about day three before I opened to God. This year, I wanted to give God the praise from day one.”
She plans to use her experience in school to stay strong in her faith and tell her friends why she is “passionate about Super Summer and spur their interest (to come) next year,” she said.
Benjamin Kraus attended Super Summer for the first time this year.
“It’s a real eye opener in ways that I never thought before. Even if I was taught it before, I learned it in a new way. I’ll use it to be bold and start in mission and help friends avoid temptations,” Kraus, a recent Buchanan High graduate and member of Troy First Baptist said.
Carson said some of the decisions students make are first time salvation experiences.
Wednesday night of week 2 was “the tipping point for several making first time decisions for Christ,” Carson said.
“We’re excited about what we see transpiring in the lives of the next generation and especially encouraged about the students called to the ministry,” said Matt Kearns, MBC Leadership Development team leader.
“We’re excited about 2016. We hope to communicate with a wider audience. There are other new things on the horizon for next year in leadership and missions. We’ll be back at HLGU next year and possibly another venue. Stay tuned.”
Students and leaders alike had concentrated Bible study times, praise and worship times, and the youth had recreation in the afternoon.